I just happened to notice that it has been a month since I posted about my eating plan and the first 10 pounds of weight loss. That was then, this is now.
I'm learning some things, and I'm not giving up. But I am a bit frustrated.
A couple of weeks ago I went out and bought a new bathroom scale and even though it read about a pound higher than the scale at my doctor's office, it was consistent and had nice large, bright red numbers. I'd never had one of these digital LED scales before, and I found it a little too fun to use.
That's right. I became addicted to weighing myself. I was waking up several times during the night and went straight to the bathroom scale. It was ridiculous but I couldn't help myself.
Then suddenly, after one week, my new scale died. I tried a new battery. I did everything the instruction sheet told me to do. I went to the manufacturer's website and followed even more directions. Things went from bad to worse. Finally they told me I could mail the scale back and they would replace it. I hope to do that this week. I have no idea how much I weigh!
And that is probably a good thing...for now. I doubt that I have lost any more weight, by the feel of my clothes. I'm hoping I have "maintained". I think I need to eat more.
More?? Yes. Ever since I lost the first 10 pounds and my appetite got more under control, I haven't been eating like I did the first month. I've often been skipping breakfast and sometimes just munching on celery sticks and peanut butter during the day. Then I am really hungry by suppertime and tend to overeat at that meal. This is not a good thing. I do fear that I have plateaued with the weight loss. I've heard about the "starvation" effect that can happen when dieting, where the metabolism slows down and I'm wondering if my body is refusing to let go of my extra fat because I'm not feeding it as regularly? And if I start eating regularly again, will I gain back even more fat, a la the famed "yo-yo" diet thing?
So, starting TODAY, I am going to do the same thing I did the first month when I was losing consistently. Slowly, but consistently. I will go back to regularly eating breakfast and lunch minus carbs. Then I will eat a normal supper but with smaller portions. I will also not indulge in a dessert every night, and will replace that sweet thing with fresh fruit more often than not.
I'm still drinking my water and moving around more and easier than before I started this, but not as much as I did the first month. So I need to return to concentrating on that as well.
How am I doing psychologically and spiritually regarding all of this? I'm a bit fearful. I'm fearing failure because I expected the second month to be as easy as the first month. I'm annoyed with myself that I became so obsessed with weighing myself. I'm scared that as fall is here and winter will follow, that I will not be outside moving around as much and will have a set-back because of it.
I really don't have the time or money to join Curves or a community fitness center. So I need to find something physical to do that I will enjoy until I can be outside more next spring. I definitely cannot afford to go six months of the year without exercise.
I will miss these days, but I am determined to find something else to do until they return.
I also am going to return to keeping a diary of what I am eating/doing and tracking what works and what doesn't work. This will require some discipline.
When I get my scale replaced, I will weigh myself once each morning and take an average of my weight for the week to use as my measure of how much I weigh.
Here are some of the Scripture verses that I will be concentrating on:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philipians 4:13
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL." Galatians 5:22-23
"Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." Psalm 37:5
7 comments:
Oh dear sweet lady...you are still doing well...you just need to get yourself back in the wagon as you state you are today...this is why I do not have a scale...I would become obsessed too...lol...have you ever heard of Leslie Sansone? She has some walking dvd's that I think you would love. They aren't very expensive either....she is so uplifting and positive and she doesn't have scantily dressed perfect body people on her video's either. :)
I have been slowly eating less carbs which is very hard because I love breads...I am going to be starting a new eating plan myself in the next few days and am hoping to start some walking.
Good luck and I hope you realize how wonderful you are! XX
I got into trouble when I DIDN'T weight everyday. Funny how we're all different.
I like Leslie Sansone, too! I no longer have her video - I think I gave it to my daughter - but I do her routine by heart while I watch TV news or listen to music!
One day at a time, friend -- one MINUTE at a time! I'll bet the journal will help. I'll look forward to hearing more.
Thanks girls...I'm not sure I even like "sharing" this side of me...the parts I struggle with. But you two have both been there so you can relate! I definitely want to weigh myself once a day, but I knew I was getting psychotic when I was getting up every two hours all night long, quietly sneaking into the bathroom and weighing myself AGAIN! I think just in recognizing that demon I have conquered it! LOL...I'll look for Leslie Sansone at the library...sounds like a plan!
Jacque, you made me chuckle!
Those midnight weigh-ins are what I call "over-eager!"
Oh, and I read that it's vital to get a full night's sleep, because that is when our bodies dump the weight!
But I'm with you Friend. I've REALLY lost ground and put back half of last year's weight loss. UGH! I know I am fighting depression over my hip problem. Going for a CT scan tomorrow to determine how big the hole in my pelvis is...still praying that it would please GOD to heal me supernaturally.
Anyway, you are an inspiration to me as well as our friend Rebecca.
Sure wish I could join you gals when you get together!!!
((HUGS))
Dieting can be a beast... messing not only within our physical spectrum, but all other spectrums as well. I gave it up long ago, but I do try to watch my weight so as to keep my clothes fitting for a long season.
As for exercise, start walking. I've exercised most of my life. I've tried it all. It's a daily discipline for me, and now that I've had surgery, I've had to tone it down a bit. But I'm back to walking, and it feels great! If you lived closer, I'd make you come with me.
Find a safe area to walk, hook up an ipod with some great music and get moving. It will change your outlook and give you some moments of reflection and peace alongside. I promise!
Keep to it, and let me know how you're doing.
peace~elaine
PS: Like Rebecca, I love Leslie Sansone. She's a great "indoor walk!"
Hang in there, Sweetie. Good decision to go back to what worked before, but remember that you WILL go through those plateaus where try hard as you will, you won't lose weight! But if you hang in there, you'll start losing again. You know this to be true. Go girl!!!
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